National Republican., 1887-01-01
The Old Year and the New,

The Old Year and the New.
The wild bells have rung out to the wild
skies, and another New Year is with us.
1t comes upon this continent heralded by
no dire forebodlngs, and mauifests no
symptoms Of international, national, social,
or political disturbances which may not be
adequately and satisfactorily treated by
rational and peaceful methods strictly en-
forced by enlightened public opinion.
1t may be profitable to take birds view
OF the year that has passed before speculat-
ing upon probabilities Of the new arrival.
Among true leaders Of American society
the death call has been making exceptional
havoc, and the names of Hendricks, Han
cock, Tilden, Mcclellan, Arthur, and Logan
represent the swapping Of national chords
which bind this generation with that which
participated in such great events.
No great political measures, except per.
haps that which deals with the Indian uues-
tion, have been consummated, though some
have been inaugurated during 1856, and it
yet remalnsto to be seen what shall become of a
protective tariff, a currency agitation, the
Blair education hill, and further develop
ments of civil service reform.
Though the region Of practical politics
has been comparatively barren, movements
have been on foot in general society which
are rapidly forming opinion in one direction
or the other for serious legislation In future.
Labor, through various organizations, has
entered upon the storm and stress period,
and the different phases OF anarchy, social
on a., 30, N,t,
their separating lines severely drawn until
the wide diffusion Of economical knowledge
shall have reduced to scientific accuracy
the privileges, duties, and limitations OF
both labor and capital. The princi-
pies of Henry George have taken
root in some quarters and will have
to be reckoned with in any thorough
scheme Of social readjustment. DR.. Aveling
and Herr Liebknecht have come and gone,
and the community echoes the sentiment of
New York socialists in parting with the
former gentleman, "We are all glad to be
rid of you"
In physical science there have been no
great discoveries, although the NATIONAL
REPUBLICAN, prophet produced an un-
usually powerful earthquake In Charleston,
which resurrected the science of seismolog
and flooded the current vocabulary with
terms and theories of profound mystery
and little practical importance. In me-
chanical science the invention of a type
setting machine will probably do away with
| the old race Of compositors and revolution
| ize the art of printing.
The religious world, having languished
under temporary respite from the painted
wooden guns of Col. Ingersoll, has been
called 10 animation again by the Audover
controversy. This opening up Of Calvin
| istic dogma is likely to throw more ulti
mate discredit upon true religion than all
the playful popguns of a dozen eloquent
infdels.
In high art Europe has contributed a
statue Of liberty and Muncaksy's well ad-
vertised picture; but home art, In the more
modest ways of magazine illustration, has
increased in quantity and quality, bringing
choicest forms of joy aud beauty almost
equally to men and children In the humblest
cottage and in the proudest mansion of the
land. Lawrence Barrett's revival of "Rienzi"
and Wilson R0rrett's ir:porte,!5.: vi "Claud-
| ian" ioim the only important accessions to
dramatic art, but such additions to our
stage representations are of sufficient dig
nifty and intellectual value almost to anti
dote the nauseating effects of other classes
Of dramatic importations or revivals.
Higher education has taken stock of its
great triumphs by celebrating, with quite
Unprecedented eclat in purely intellectual
pfr tla ttvn h,tpl NJ
niversary of Harvard's foundation, and by
Transforming the younger sister Yale
into a full-lledged university. Popular
education has gained a still greater triumph
by showing that in every great city of the
country the public school buildings are not
large enough, even with numerous yearly
| additions, to accommodate the children
who demand admittance. And it speaks
well for the progress of national
intelligence that the claims Of technical
education have taken hold on many state
| legislatures and on the broadest and best
| trained minds Of our greatest institutions
| of learning. This educational advance all
along the line is unquestionably the bright
est spot in American civilization at present.
English literature has produced no orig
iral prose work of highest merit during the
| past year and is relieved from sheerest me-
diocrity only by the "Life of Lincoln" now
! cutting its way into the heart of Saxon
I speaking people through the medium OF
the Century Magazine. To poetry only one
great addition has been made, and, although
1t is an importation and shows some defects
in speculation, 1t must be admitted that
the American people are the better for hav-
ing had the privilege OF reading "Locksley
| Hall, Sixty Years After"
Upon the whole, then, we have had, upon
broad lines, very tranquil year in 1886.
| But there are great, world-shaking move
ments, IN course of formation, and those
who are prepared to face events with
free minds and great hearts may rely in con-
fidence that from the seeming turmoil and
trouble which shadow round the entrance
OF 1887 the great spirit that dominates
nature will evoke, in continuation OF estab-
lished laws OF progress, that final order which
constitutes heavens first law.
|
TWELVE eighty-ton guns are on their way